Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

2 Dentist

Abstract

Statement of problem: Formocresol had been a popular pulpotomy medicament in the primary dentition for the past 60 years. However, concerns had been raised about its potential toxicity and mutagenicity during recent years. So, many alternatives were recommended over the years for formocresol as pulpotomy agents in primary teeth.Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic success rates of ferric sulfate as a pulpotomy agent in pulpotomized primary molars.Materials and Method: 40 primary molar teeth were randomly selected and treated using ferric sulfate (15.5% solution) as the pulpotomy agent. All were treated in one treatment session. Patients were placed on a recall program and were examined clinically and radiographically after 6-12 months follow up period. Any evidences of pain, fistula, swelling, abnormal mobility, furcation radiolucency or pathologic root resorption were considered as criteria for failure of treatment.Results: After 6-12 months observation period, the clinical success rate was 94.8% and the radiographic success rate was 76.9%. The overall success rate for this type of treatment was 76.9%.Conclusion: Since ferric sulfate is a non toxic and easy to manipulate material, after some modifications in treatment technique, it may be recommended as a suitable alternative for formocresol.Key words: Pulpotomy, Primary molar teeth, Ferric sulfate